Chapter 3
Diplomacy to Defend National Interests through Co-creation with the World
3 Science and Technology Diplomacy
Science and technology constitute the foundational elements for peace and prosperity that support socioeconomic development, and play a vital role in ensuring safety and security. By harnessing its own advanced science and technology, Japan promotes Science and Technology Diplomacy, thereby contributing to the development of science and technology at home and abroad, the promotion of relations with other countries, the peace and stability of the international community, and the resolution of global challenges. As part of science and technology diplomacy efforts, Japan places emphasis on initiatives implemented through the activities of the Science and Technology Advisor to the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
In September 2015, MOFA established the post of Science and Technology Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and appointed Prof. KISHI Teruo, Professor Emeritus of the University of Tokyo, as the first Science and Technology Advisor. Following the end of his term, Prof. Kishi was replaced by Prof. MATSUMOTO Yoichiro, Professor Emeritus of the University of Tokyo as the new advisor in April 2020. Moreover, Prof. KANO Mitsunobu, Professor of Okayama University, has assumed the post as the first Science and Technology Co-Advisor to the Minister for Foreign Affairs to support the work of the Science and Technology Advisor in April 2019.
In April 2022, Dr. KOTANI Motoko, Executive Vice President of Tohoku University, was appointed as the Science and Technology Co-Advisor for the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Foreign Minister Hayashi attending the 6th Meeting of the Advisory Board for Promoting Science & Technology Diplomacy (August 30, Tokyo)
Prof. Matsumoto and Dr. Kotani support the activities of the Foreign Minister from the perspective of science and technology, and provide advice on the utilization of science, technology and innovation in the planning and coordination of various foreign policies to the Minister and relevant divisions.
Additionally, the Science and Technology Diplomacy Advisory Network, composed of academic experts in a variety of science and technology fields, has been established under the supervision of the Science and Technology Advisor, aiming to make further contributions in the process of planning and formulating various diplomatic policies. As part of this network, “The Advisory Board for Promoting Science & Technology Diplomacy,” consisting of 20 experts from related fields, with Prof. Matsumoto as the chair and Dr. Kotani as the vice-chair, hold meetings regularly to discuss various topics aimed at enhancing the structure and function of science and technology diplomacy. In 2023, the 6th Advisory Board Meeting was held in August. In addition, according to the recommendations for “Strengthening the Foundation of Science and Technology Capabilities” compiled by the Advisory Board in 2022, MOFA established Science and Technology Fellows at six diplomatic missions overseas with the aim of strengthening the functions that are important for promoting science and technology diplomacy, and appointed Japanese researchers and experts based overseas as fellows.20
Prof. Matsumoto and Dr. Kotani exchanged views with the scientific advisors from various countries, through meetings such as the Foreign Ministries Science and Technology Advice Network (FMSTAN), in an effort to build and strengthen networks. Prof. Matsumoto visited Singapore in January, Australia in June, Spain in July, and Europe (London, UK and Geneva, Switzerland) in October. In Spain and Switzerland, he spoke at international conferences on science and technology diplomacy and exchanged views with researchers and science and technology policymakers on science, technology, and innovation policy and science and technology diplomacy initiatives at each location. In addition to Singapore and Europe, Dr. Kotani also visited Panama in June, Malaysia in October, and Australia in December, introducing Japan's science and technology diplomacy efforts at symposiums and meetings with local science and technology-related organizations, and exchanging views on science and technology cooperation and other issues with related parties.
Moreover, Prof. Matsumoto regularly hosts science and technology diplomacy seminars by inviting experts in various fields aimed at raising the level of knowledge within MOFA.
In terms of international science and technology cooperation, Japan has concluded 33 science and technology cooperation agreements bilaterally, and these are now in force with 47 countries and the EU.21 Based on these agreements, it organizes regular joint committee meetings with these countries to engage in intergovernmental dialogue. In 2023, joint committee meetings were held with Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the U.S., Czech Republic, UK, and EU, respectively. Attended by delegates from the relevant ministries and agencies, consultations were held on the current status of cooperation in diverse sectors, and on the future direction of cooperation.
With regard to multilateral cooperation, as a member of the Board of the International Science and Technology Center (ISTC), which was established to support research for peaceful purposes conducted by researchers on weapons of mass destruction from the former Soviet Union, and now involved in a wide range of research and development such as chemistry, biology, radioactive materials and nuclear power, Japan works to provide support mainly to countries of Central Asia and the Caucasus region. Japan also participates in International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project to demonstrate the scientific and technological feasibility of nuclear fusion energy.
20 Six diplomatic missions: Embassy of Japan in India, Embassy of Japan in Israel, Embassy of Japan in Sweden, Embassy of Japan in the UK, Mission of Japan to the European Union, and Consulate-General of Japan in San Francisco.
21 Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Georgia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan each inherited the Japan-Russia Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement on different dates. In 1993, the Czech Republic and Slovakia respectively took over the Japan-Czechoslovakia Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement. Croatia, Slovenia, Macedonia (the name of the country at that time), Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro inherited the Japan-Yugoslavia Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement on different dates.